Proceedings Paper

Electro-optical processors that employ cross-correlation or matched filter methods represent very efficient mechanisms that can be used for imaging sensor object identification. Such mechanisms are commonly referred to as optical correlators. Digital pre- and post-correlation processing steps are necessary to make the correlation operation robust. The pre-processing step conditions or filters the input image to create the most optimal image presentation for the correlation function. The post-processing step is typically a threshold operation on the cross-correlation of the matched filter with the optimal image presentation. The last action of the post-process is to determine whether to accept the threshold crossing as a match (identification) or dismiss the current matched filter and process any subsequent filers. A typical goal for the military application of the optical correlator is to maintain a high image frame rate of operation while maintaining an even higher matched filter selection rate. The goal is limited by the speed of the digital hardware and input/output bandwidth used in the pre- and post-processing. This paper addresses a novel methodology for using the correlator hardware with on- focal-plane array processing to maximize system throughput. The concept is described using the Image Algebra developed by Ritter, et al.